Bringing Food into the U.S. (2024)

FAQs

Do I have to declare food USA? ›

Failure to declare food products can result in a $10,000 fine. Meats, livestock, poultry, and their products are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending on the animal disease condition in the country of origin. Fresh meat is generally prohibited from most countries.

Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials. For generally allowed food items please visit USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Meats, Livestock and Poultry: The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.

Depending on the region or country you're traveling from, you may be able to bring in food like fruits, meat, or other agricultural products. You must declare all food products. If you fail to declare food products, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.

All travelers entering the United States are Required to Declare meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.

Failure to declare food products at US air, sea and land border entry points can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000, according to the CBP. Here's what you need to know before bringing food products into the US.

Checked Bags: Yes

Meat, seafood, vegetables and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening.

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

All travelers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B itemizing all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. Here are your options: Complete a paper form that may be obtained at the port of entry or on the flight or cruise. Complete the online form at a Global Entry kiosk.

What are TSA-approved snacks? ›

Snacks like an apple and peanut butter, a salad in a jar, veggies and hummus, meat and cheese and dried nuts and fruits make great TSA-approved snacks.

Food and Agricultural Products

Declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S. Cheese (only vacuum packed and pasteurized, no cheeses made of raw milk). Most Dutch cheeses like Gouda, Edam and Leerdam are allowed.

Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.

First, as a rule, you must declare everything you bring back. If you don't and they find it, you can be fined up to $10,000. In general, no meat, rice, fruit or vegetable is allowed to be brought back into the US.

Travelers may bring back boneless meat in commercially packaged, labeled, and contained in unopened hermetically sealed containers or packages that are cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce articles that are shelf-stable without refrigeration.

Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.

As for forbidden agricultural products (fruits and vegetables, meat, and all food made from animal and vegetable byproducts), which are susceptible to transporting parasites: If a person fails to declare, or makes an error in their declaration, or doesn't declare at all, they can be charged with a civil penalty of up ...

Travelers should declare all items being brought from abroad that will remain in the United States. This includes gifts and duty-free purchases. Goods purchased in a duty-free shop are not automatically free of duty upon your return to the United States.

As a general rule of thumb, anything you obtained abroad needs to be declared.